The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-06-25

trustees and visiting ministers, met in
the Erosophisn room and marched to the
chapel in the order named. After music
by the excellent orchestra engaged for
the occasion, and prayer by Rev. DIR.
Cantwell, came the graduating addresses
of the two members of the Divinity
School, John r. Carpenter, of Coe Ridge,
o., and Osgood E. Colegrove, of Stony
Point, Mich. We give following, the abb
stracts of these productions, for which we
are indebted to the Register:
Graduates in Divinity.
The subject of JOHN R. CARPENrRBs thesis
was The Reign of Peace" Every event is
heralded by a messenger through whom we
may determine the nature of the event itself.
This thought was illustrated by several exam
pies. OF all the events of the world 8 history,
none is SO important nor of so much interest
to humanity as the one recorded in Luke ii.
1t was midnight on the hills of Judea; all ma
ture was hushed in the quiet slumber of that
holy hour. The shepherds were guarding
their sheep in that still hour. The heavens
were suddenly lighted and an angel of the
Lord appeared unto them. Their hearts
failed them because they were sore afraid.
But the angel said: Fear not, for bring
you good tidings of great Joy which shall be
to all people. For unto you is born this day
in the city of David Saviour"
And suddenly there was with the angel null
titude of the heavenly host, praising God and
saying, "Glory to God in the highest and on
earth peace and good will to men," This
is the song of the angels, and there is but one
such song; time has only served to make
clear its divine meaning. The singers beheld
the outcome. They knew what new power was
brought into the world; they knew how this
power was to operate upon humanity, that
through this power was to come absolute
peace ON earth; this enabled them to sing
that song. This prophecy has been in pro-
gress of realization and fulhllment through
all the Frightening ages since then. This is
shown in the history of civilization, in mat
tiers of war and commerce. Thus history
sets her seal that God is true.
OsGooD g. CoLEGRovE gave a comparison
of the views held by the materialist, atheist,
pantheist and Christian in re gard to tne Gre
alton of the material, mental and spiritual
| worlds. He held that the Christian philoso-
ply of to-day alone could give satisfactory
explanation of the creation or existence of
these worlds. 1t holds that all things are re-
lated to one another and to God. The exist
ence of God explains the existence of these
worlds. If God did not exist, the material
world could not exist. If God did not exist,
the mental world could not exist. If God
did not exist the spiritual world could not
exist. We have certain knowledge of their
existence. We do not understand the man
ner of their existence. We cannot know all
the ways of God, but as the ages roll along
we become more and more familiar with his
ways and are grasping more of the eternal
truths of God
At the close of these exercises, the de-
gree of Bachelor of Divinity was con-
ferred on the two graduates of the theo-
logical course. Rev. Mary Garsrd, OF Nor
rison, ILL.,, who had studied In another in
stitution. and had successfully passed an
examination in theology by the faculty
for the same degree, was also in vested
with the honors and diploma of this de-
gree.
The College Department.
Following this, ensued the exercises of
the Collegiate Department. We give,
also, from the Register the outline OF the
several orations:
Mr.. Jay Crane, of Galesburg (son of Rev.
Dr. Crane), spoke of the Future of Amer
ica." Nations, like individuals, live and die.
They have their youth, middle age and old
age. One danger is the extent of territory,
| requiring strong government. Another is
emigration. Our emigration is refuse mat
| ter. Individualism predominates. Among
| serious influences is Socialism. The great
saving element is Christianity. America is
to be the heart of the world. His delivery
was forcible and he held his audience we'll.
Mr.. Perry B. Fuller, of Barry, ILL.,, spoke
of " Trivial Circumstances Influencing Great
Results" Calico seeing lantern swinging
in circle, discovered the laws of time. Many
similar illustrations were given. Every day
many trivial circumstances occur which we
pass by unnoticed; hence the need of mental
discipline, training in all the things of life.
He was listened to with attention, and his
theme was presented we'll.
Mr.. Jay Welsh, of Eugene, Ill, compared the
English and American governments. Exec
utive power in England is exercised by the
Minister. The Queen is executive only in
name. Yet she is representative and her
influence is great. The House of Commons
is legislative body, like our House of Rep
resentatives. They are selected by the peo-
BILE. Our government is a form of English,
bat like form of three hundred years ago.
Greatest difference between our government
and England's is that they have no written
constitution. The English people govern
themselves. The politicians govern us.
"Boodleism" was discussed by Mr.. Alva T.
Wing, of Prescott, A. L. Every age has it's
peculiar crimes. Many are found among
the higher classes. Among these is the de-
sire for riches by trickery, commonly called
"Boodleism." The American conscience is
easily satisfied. We look at these lesser
crimes too indifferently. The title Doodle
was at first applied to the lower classes
Then passed to the ignorantly wicked. To
every people the golden age is in the past
Thus at the present time we call for Jefferson
simplicity. With all the glories of the past
and the crimes of the present, the present